Accident Overview
A four-engine aircraft was completing a flight from Burbank, California, to a secret base known as Area 51 (also called "Homey") located near Groom Lake, Nevada. The aircraft carried a crew of four and ten passengers, including atomistics, engineers, and scientists who were part of the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft building program.
Flight Conditions
Due to the secret nature of the flight, the crew did not have any radio contact with air traffic control. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions, including thunderstorm activity and low visibility.
The Accident
While flying in clouds at an altitude of 11,300 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mount Charleston approximately 50 feet below the summit. The impact killed all 14 occupants.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident, probably because the crew became lost in the clouds.